Shopping is the most common activity which tourists do in Thailand. Visiting Thailand without shopping, means leaving Thailand empty-handed and missing out on a golden opportunity.
Various specialized Thai items from different regions of the country can now be found in Bangkok, these include: Thai handicrafts, Thai silk and wooden works, etc. New department stores have been established to offer various styles, qualities and designs of unlimited products.
One of the most confusing situations a tourist will have to face before going home is: what to shop and where.
What to buy in Thailand?
Thai Special Products
Thai Silk: Thai Silk: The highest quality of Thai silk can be found at Jim Thompson's. You can also find decent products at reasonable prices at the following main stores
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Some branches of Central, for e.g. Central World Plaza (until 2004 called the World Trade Center ) and on Surawong Road .
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Large hotels
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Narayana Phand (now mostly called "Narai Phand"), with high quality handicraft and silk.
Thai Silk products include neckties, blouses, dresses, shirts etc. The usual cost of a Thai silk necktie starts at around 300 baht.
Wood carving: can be bought in any size, be it a table-top souvenir or a large Chinese-style dining table. It is mostly found in or around Chiang Mai, as most of the wood carving is done there.
Handicrafts: Lots of handicraft centers can be found in Chiang Mai.
Pewter: Typical Thai-style soft material products. Beware though, that they do not get damaged while packing or carrying back home. There is an endless variation of pewter articles.
Leather Another product typical of Thailand. The best Thai trademark for leather is Jacob. A good quality wallet should cost no more than 1,200 Baht. Moreover, you will always get good quality, reasonably priced leather at exhibitions.
Thai painting: The Thais are masters in what we would call "primitive art" in Europe.
Benjarong: five-colored porcelain (hand-made painting)..
Lacquerware: Wooden articles are beautifully hand-painted in color or painted black first and later plated with gold. The products of both types of manufacturing are called lacquerware.
Tailored Clothes: There are hundreds of tailors all over Thailand. In Bangkok, you can find most of them in Banglamphu district and on Sukhumvit and Charoen Krung roads. They charge you a very reasonable price for a good quality suit, averaging around 6000-8000 Baht (including two pairs of trousers). Better material is more expensive but the work will always be impressive.
Thai Jewelry
Gold: You can find Chinese gold shops all over Thailand. They normally advertise the price for buying and selling gold on their front door. If you are buying that is the price; plus of course a little extra for the embroidery.
If someone invites you to a large jewelry store, you should not go as in most cases the trick is to show you something and mention a very high price (as is printed on the label). If you do decide to go, be careful before buying; be sure of the price first. Never buy any jewelry on the streets.
In case your jewelry proves to be of low quality, contact the Tourist Police by phone on 1155 or go to one of their offices. The Tourist Police, experienced in dealing with normal tourist problems, will take the appropriate action and if you wish attempt to get you a refund.
Silver is also widely sold in Thailand, especially around Chiang Mai. This is 99% pure quality silver.
Upcountry Local Souvenirs
Chiang Mai is famous for its woodcarving, wooden furniture, paper hand-painted umbrellas (parasols), lacquerware and silver. The umbrellas are best bought in one of the factories.
Phuket is famous for its sweet water pearls and batik materials.
Other Products
Computer: The best and most popular place for IT is at Pantip Plaza on Petchaburi Road. A huge collection of both soft and hardware can be found there at reasonable prices. Most department stores also have, yet comparably smaller, IT departments.
DVD's of Thai Movies: Legal, high-quality Thai DVDs are distributed at different branches of Mangpong, a movie distributor in Thailand (found all over Bangkok). Their staff are instructed to approach customers "aggressively" but offer advice in a charming Thai-style manner. Thai movies (with English subtitles) usually cost between 100 and 500 Baht.
English Books: You can find most English books at:
- Asia Books: The largest publisher and bookseller in Thailand of English language books. They have stores all over the country.
- DK Books: Their English language books can be found at Central and Robinson department stores.
Where to buy in Thailand?
Shopping Areas in Bangkok
Good shopping areas include:
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Central World Plaza (previously known as the World Trade Center )
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Narai phand, a government owned shop, is a great place for buying good quality, reasonable price products. "The products they sell can be trusted!"
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Jim Thompson's, Central Department Store Chit Lom (follow the signs from the Chit Lom skytrain station) and the area surrounding Central World Plaza .
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Siam Center district, MBK mega-huge shopping plaza and Siam Discovery shopping mall (all nearby Central World Plaza on the skytrain route).
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Pratunam, a walking difference from Central World Plaza , is a haven for clothing bargains.
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Pantip Plaza (near Pratunam market) is famous for its IT shopping. .
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Pak Klong Talat market offers an abundance of flowers and fruits.
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Government supported exhibitions by the Department of Export Promotion. Visit their website at http://www.thaitrade.com.
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Department stores in Thailand offer high-quality merchandise at real bargain prices. At Central Department Store (the largest of its kind in Thailand ) tourists can get a complimentary card at the information desk which entitles them to a 5% cost reduction (they are also available at some hotels)
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Mega-shopping centers like "Big C", "Carrefour" and "Tesco Lotus" offer cost-effective shopping at an abundance of different locations.
- Robinson and PATA department stores are also popular shopping havens in Bangkok
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